Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-02-11
CHAMBER COMMERCE.
RESOLUTION wrrH REGARD TO THE
RICHMOND AND CHESAPEAKE ROAD.
Adoption Of the Revised Constitution
The T. P. A. Assoeia-
tien, &c, &c.

A special meeting Of the Chamber OF
Commerce was held yesterday evening.
Mr.. r. A. Dunlop, first vice-president,
presided in the absence from the city
Of President Ainslie.
The new constitution of the Cham
Der, reported from a committee OF
which the Hon. George l.. Christian
was chairman, and which revision was
approved at the last meeting, came mp
as the special business, and was finally
adopted. The changes made have been
heretofore explained.
RICHMOND AND CHESAPEAKE RAILROAD.
A member offered the following,
which he said lie did at the request OF
a gentleman who, while he had no
money in the enterprise, took great in
terest ID it:
Whereas the Legislature of Virginia
has granted charter to the Richmond
and Chesapeake Railroad Company to
construct road from this city to Wi
comico, on the Chesapeake bay, which
on its completion will open up a pro
ductive section of country now foreign
TO our city and subservient to the city
of Baltimore, to which it contributes
annually large amount of trade be
longing properly to the city of Rich
mond, and capable of being brought to
our doors by quick all-rail transit
therefore, be it
ReSOlced, /. That we, the Chamber
Of Commerce, representing the bust
ness interests of the city of Richmond,
do hereby heartily endorse the building
Of the Richmond and Chesapeake rail
road and the projected tunnel under
Eighth street, believing that when com
pleted they will be sources of profit to
their projectors and of lasting and in
valuable benefit TO this city.
2. That the president is hereby di-
rected to confer, by letter, with W. 5.
Janncy, Esq, the president of the com
pany, furnishing him with copy OF
these resolutions with the seal of the
Chamber attached, and such other in
formation pertinent To the subject as
he may he able to communicate.
Mr.. Crenshaw spoke of the desira-
bility of reaching this country, and ex-
pressed the hope that a railroad would
be built to Wicomico. He thought il
would be a great thing for Richmond.
Ex-Judge George l.. Christian
thought it was an important road and
ought to be built; but he was opposed
to the Chamber lending its countenance
TO people who, from all that he could
lean-he did not speak from his own
knowledge-had been trading and trlt-
ticking in its charter He wanted the
Chamber to be better informed before
it acted.
Mr.. Catlin thought the Chamber
would be risking very little in express
ing the desire for the construction OF a
railroad in the direction indicated.
Mr.. Bowc said that he had heard-he
did not know what truth there was in
it-that some Canadian capitalists would
take hold of the scheme. He would
like to see the road built.
Mr.. Starke proposed simply to en-
dorse this section of the country as a
promising field for railroad enterprise.
MIR. Bowe said that that met his
view,
Judge Christian said he had no OBJ
lection.
Finally Mr.. Lnngstlff Johnston, the
engineer Of the road, was invited to adj
dress the Chamber. He explained the
difficulties with which they had met.
He had worked for nearly two years al
most without pay. The charter now
belongs to Philadelphia people who had
got the money-had nearly brought it
into Richmond-when it was turned
back 10y cold water thrown on the en-
terprise by a prominent RichmORd
man. The money can be gotten if
northern capitalists find that Richmond
people want the road. The owners OF
the road are in earnest, and Dr. Janney
has put his all in it.
Mr.. Johnston gave his word that the
enterprise was a 6Ond-fde one in the
hands of those who will build it if
Richmond will encourage them. None
of the road has been graded, but much
Of it has been cleared. Mr.. Apperson
asked Mr.. Johnston to give the name
Of the prominent Richmond man who
had caused the northern capitalists to
withdraw their money from the enter
prise.
Mr.. Johnston pleasantly remarked
that he came TO the Chamber to talk
about the railroad, not about this
matter.
Mr.. r. D. Lee expressed the hope
that the Chamber would endorse the
road in some suitable manner.
Mr. r. +. Williams favored the road,
but was not prepared to endorse its
present management.
Mr. Tower spoke of the valuable ter
ritory that could be reached by rail-
road extending from Richmond to Wi
comico, but was of the opinion that
care should be exercised in passing
resolutions.
Finally the patron of the preamble
and resolution struck ont all Of section 2,
and the paper so amended was unani-
mously adopted.
THE TRAVELLERS.
A committee from the Travellers
Protective Association, composed of
Colonel W. A. James, G. q. Minor, J.
S. Harwood, r. S. Crump, and II. E.
Hirshberg, was now introduced to the
Chamber, and through their chairman,
Colonel W. A. James, explained the
objects of the organization, and asked
for the cooperation of the Chamber to
render their work more effective.
Judge Christian moved that the ad-
dress and suggestions be referred to
the Committee on Inland Trade. Agreed
to.
Adjourned.
The Board then met. Present: First
Vice President Richard A. Dunlop,
Second Vice President George L. Chris
ton, and Messrs. n. d. Hargrove, r.
+. Williams, n. w. Bowe, E. A. Cat
lin, o. l.. Cottrell, S. H. Hawes, and
Ashton Starke, directors.
The following new members We're
elected: Richmond Ice Company, A. ID.
Lauderkin, secretary and superinten-
dent; w. S. Pitcher, and Thaxton y
Watkins.
pApAPQs, asspMRUY UYAnInERzS